SA Firefighter

Technical Discussion => Hypotheticals => Topic started by: bittenyakka on November 11, 2006, 08:09:14 PM

Title: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: bittenyakka on November 11, 2006, 08:09:14 PM
8:30 in the down tunnle on the SE freeway a petrol tanker has lost its breaks hit the left wall of the tunnel and rlled so it is blocking the entire three lanes of traffic. Intitialy the tanker didnt rupture but a seccond semi with steel beems has collieded into the tank riling a very large hole into the tanker and setting it alight. the next cars to get to the tunnel avoided entering and stoped on the side of the freeway.

So essentaially there is a tanker on fire in the down tunnel. the condition of the two drivers is unknown.

Who should get responded and how do you puth the fire out?
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: 2090 on November 12, 2006, 01:28:47 AM
Initial Response: Burnside, Stirling, Glen Osmond 441. I'd try to get a tanker from either Stirling(preferable as they are above it) or Burnside.

The tanker is wholly in the tunnel and on fire? Close the feeway, both up and down tracks, using BA crews provide protection to the Up track tunnel. Depending on the amount of people required and the access - if its too hot, don't bother - respond Aldgate/Bridgewater.

I'd look at trying to pump the tunnel full of foam (from the top initially), requesting the 1000's of litres of foam from Stirling, as well as trying to get more from town. As there would be petrol (alight or not) running down the hill, I would attempt to initially set up a dam with charged 64mm hose and lay a foam blanket up from that point. I would then try to get some earth to build an earthen dam to contain the run off.

Not a whole lot to do apart from try to smother it and/or let it burn itself out.


The drivers? Dead. (If the fire was primarily on one side of the tankers and the cabs 'safely' accessible, an attempt could be made under a cover of a hoseline. Apart from that, not much you can do)
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: 5271rescue on November 12, 2006, 05:50:35 AM
Close up and down tracks, use the sprinkler system to do its job and when safe to do so a direct attack with foam or better still use high expansion foam and flood the tunnel working from the stirling end as all run of will run down hill. Crews on lower side to constuct a large dam/holding area for all run off will have to be a big dam to hold it all.EPA to monitor run off and the fumes.....once the fire is out and clean up takes place will have to close tunnel for????? to do repairs and this will cause new problems as vehicles will now have to detour down widing hills roads...
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: Big Yellow Gongbeater on November 12, 2006, 08:46:15 PM


So essentaially there is a tanker on fire in the down tunnel. the condition of the two drivers is unknown.

Who should get responded and how do you puth the fire out?
  Who should get responded?
 Easy the resources already allocated for such an incident in the response plan for the tunnels.
  Tanker on fire downtrack, drivers conditions unknown ahhhhh If conditions allow attempt SAR, if not play upslope make furtherest entry into and fill the tunnel with HiEx foam. bund off downhill exit to restrict product run off, job done and if required assist Coroner with deceased retrieval later.
  Yes cold hard, but practical simple. 8-)
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: rusty on November 28, 2006, 08:08:40 PM
Heysen Tunnels Response Plans state that for a confirmed fire in the tunnels an automatic second alarm shall be transmitted (Bridgewater, Aldgate, Upper Sturt & MFS). OIC can request specialist resources from either service, including foam pod/s, State Hazmat, BWC's etc. Also, dispatch should incllude a phone call to the Norwood Traffic Control Centre to see what their monitors show, from which they would likely close the freeway completely.
From past experience on that road dealing with large spillages, they have 25 mins on a rainy day to catch the flow before it hits the Patawolonga, or longer if the waterways aren't full. Now, burning fuel down the catchment presents a whole host of new issues, and may warrant a strike team response from the MFS to follow it through the channels in MFS area & cut it off.
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: bittenyakka on November 29, 2006, 07:53:51 AM
Does any one know why the response plans where drawn up the way they were? ie Piccadilly and Summertown are closer that Bridgewater  and Upper Sturt.
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: SA Firey on November 29, 2006, 09:30:43 AM
Does any one know why the response plans where drawn up the way they were? ie Piccadilly and Summertown are closer that Bridgewater  and Upper Sturt.

Response plans are coordinated by brigades/groups to ensure a practical and fast response to an incident.Bridgewater/Upper Sturt would be responded for the simple fact they are the next nearest brigade in Stirling's response plans based on the risk. :wink:
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: boss on November 29, 2006, 09:32:59 AM
one thing you got to remember is the tunnel will be like an oven with in about 3-5 min if not sooner because of the jelly patrolium (tar) the fuel from the tanker the concrete walls it will one big pain in the butt. after the fire is put out and the mess cleaned up before the road repairs go ahead the tunnel will need to be inspected first for building damages
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: 2090 on November 29, 2006, 01:38:09 PM
Does any one know why the response plans where drawn up the way they were? ie Piccadilly and Summertown are closer that Bridgewater  and Upper Sturt.

Are you serious? Closer does not mean appropriate. Bridgie is closer, as its just down the freeway, they have a pumper and can crew rather decently.
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: SA Firey on November 29, 2006, 01:47:46 PM
one thing you got to remember is the tunnel will be like an oven with in about 3-5 min if not sooner because of the jelly patrolium (tar) the fuel from the tanker the concrete walls it will one big pain in the butt. after the fire is put out and the mess cleaned up before the road repairs go ahead the tunnel will need to be inspected first for building damages

One very protracted incident,so you would hope there are plenty of changeover crews :wink:
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: rusty on November 29, 2006, 09:05:40 PM
Upper Sturt and Bridgewater are definitely closer than Summertown, (B/W straight down the freeway - easy run), though Piccadilly should IMHO get a look-in...
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: lilmiss_firey on November 29, 2006, 10:14:46 PM
also another thing.. wouldn't the petrol flow down hill so the fire spreads, down to the end of the tunnel to the opening which could start a grass fire in the grass there, before the crews get to the incident...???? - just a suggestion..
Title: Re: I really hope this doesn't happen.
Post by: SA Firey on December 01, 2006, 06:35:05 AM
also another thing.. wouldn't the petrol flow down hill so the fire spreads, down to the end of the tunnel to the opening which could start a grass fire in the grass there, before the crews get to the incident...???? - just a suggestion..

There are so many risks associated with a incident like this that would require a lot of resources,and the grass fire would increase the risk even further so transmit a fourth alarm :-D